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Galal Yafai And Rodriguez Prepare For War – ‘He’s Never Faced Someone Like Me’

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 2:32 AM ET

Galal Yafai and Francisco Rodriguez Jr. held their final press conference before their June 21 flyweight bout.

Yafai makes a defense of his WBC Interim Flyweight Title. He enters into the fight with a knockout win against Sunny Edwards to secure his biggest win. The Olympic gold medalist extended his undefeated record to 9-0. Yafai also has seven knockouts, with three on the spin, as he seeks his first world title moving forward.

Rodriguez has far more experience than Yafai in the pro ranks. He has a 39-6-1 record, with 27 knockouts. While he has lost high-profile fights against the likes of Kazuto Ioka, Junto Nakatani, and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, he has faced a variety of styles, which will pose a test for Yafai. This is what the fighters had to say during the press conference.

Presser

“He’s a great fighter, Rodriguez. Anyone that knows him. He comes forward, I come forward. It should make for a great fight for the fans, not so good for myself and him. As long as I get the win, that’s all that matters. Why was he coming towards the end of his career? He was 28 (Sunny Edwards). I’m 32. At 28 I was in my prime.

“I won Olympic Gold at 28. It’s normally at 28 that you’re at your prime. “Rodriguez should be my hardest fight, on paper. Let’s hope it’s not in reality on Saturday. I’ve had to fight Sunny who was number one with the Ring Magazine, then I’ve had to fight the WBC number one Rodriguez and then I’ll have to go to Japan probably and fight the pound for pound fighter who’s got the WBC and WBA belts in Teraji. I’ve not had it easy have I?,” Yafai

“I want to say thank you to everyone present here. I also want to give a big thanks to Eddie Hearn for the opportunity. Of course, I come really prepared for this fight. On Saturday I’m not coming so far just to lose this fight. “Yes, it’s true that Galal Yafai throws a lot of shots, but I’d also say that I equal him in the amount of shots that I throw. What I would say is that I don’t think he’s ever faced someone like me who throws those shots and throws them with power. Without doubt the styles will mix on Saturday night and it will be an excellent fight. Ultimately, the fans will come out as winners,” Rodriguez

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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